Urgent Call for Action Against ArcelorMittal's Human Rights Abuses in Liberia

ArcelorMittal, a global steel giant, has been implicated in numerous human rights violations in Liberia, including wrongful deaths, unsafe working conditions, and draconian HR policies. These abuses have caused immense suffering to workers and their families, and both the Liberian government and the international community must take immediate action to address these injustices.

ArcelorMittal's operations in Liberia have been marred by negligence and exploitation. Reports indicate that over 100 workers have lost their lives in ArcelorMittal's mines in Kazakhstan alone, highlighting a systemic disregard for worker safety. In Liberia, the company has faced 48 human rights violation cases, ranging from poor working conditions to environmental degradation and community displacement. Workers have reported inhumane working conditions, including the denial of fundamental employee rights such as leave and vacation, leading to severe health issues and psychological trauma.

One notable case is that of Ambrose Gbormie, who served as Superintendent for Local Government Affairs for ArcelorMittal from 2011 to 2022. Gbormie claims that the company subjected him to inhumane working conditions, including the refusal to grant leave or vacation, which led to the deterioration of his health. Medical reports document the damage to his physical and mental well-being, and his family has suffered immensely as a result. The Gbormie family argues that ArcelorMittal's failure to adhere to labor laws and human rights standards violates their rights.

We call on the Liberian government to take immediate action to investigate these wrongful actions and deaths and hold ArcelorMittal accountable for its human rights abuses. The government must ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families and that ArcelorMittal adheres to labor laws and international human rights standards. Additionally, we urge the international community, including the International Human Rights Commission, to intervene and scrutinize ArcelorMittal's operations in Liberia. These abuses are not isolated incidents but represent a pattern of exploitation that requires urgent international attention.

ArcelorMittal's human rights abuses in Liberia are a grave injustice that must be addressed immediately,